Generation facility closure requirements-natural gas.

HB 189 requires electric utilities (excluding cooperatives) to purchase electricity from natural gas power plants that would otherwise close, provided the plant owner offers to sell power. It establishes "avoided cost" pricing - what the utility would pay to generate or buy equivalent power - as the basis for these sales, and allows the utility commission to set this price in advance. Large commercial customers (over 1 megawatt demand) in the utility’s service area may receive power from these plants, but must also continue buying partial service from the utility to prevent rate increases for other customers. The bill aims to extend the operational life of retiring natural gas facilities by creating a market for their electricity, directly affecting utilities, plant owners, and eligible commercial customers.